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41 named in the Best 30 Hotels in the British Isles category by Condé Nast Traveler readers

2008-10-20 14:54:56

The readers of Condé Nast Traveler have named ‘41‘ in the Best 30 Hotels in the British Isles category in the magazine‘s 21st Annual Readers‘ Choice Awards. The awards are derived from the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey, the largest independent poll of consumers’ preferences. Over 32,000 readers voted this year.

Situated on Buckingham Palace Road, a stone’s throw from the palace and opposite the Royal Mews (where the Queens horses and carriages are stabled), ‘41’ is part of the Red Carnation Hotels collection, which includes other properties in London, as well as Dorset, Guernsey, Geneva, Palm Beach and South Africa, ‘41’ offers 30 individually designed guest suites, no two alike but all stylishly designed with a black and white theme and many with working fireplaces. Another Red Carnation London property, The Milestone in Kensington, took the Number One position as Best Hotel in the British Isles in the same survey.

“These awards celebrate the destinations, lodgings, and modes of transportation that manage to exceed our expectations,” said Condé Nast Traveler Editor in Chief Klara Glowczewska. “The Readers’ Choice Awards, with over 32,000 readers voting, are a credit to the worldly expertise of our readers—passionate travelers for whom no island is too remote, no city too challenging, and no hotel too untested.”

The complete results of the awards can be found in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler, on newsstands October 21st or on the magazine’s website at cntraveler.com. The Readers Choice Awards gala took place on Wednesday, October 15th in New York City at the New York Public Library. Photos and video from the event are available upon request.

About Condé Nast Traveler
Truth in Travel: Many travel publications accept free travel and accommodations. Condé Nast Traveler does not, and its correspondents, as far as possible, travel anonymously. They experience travel the way consumers do, both the good and the bad, and report on it fairly and honestly. In 2008, Condé Nast Traveler was named one of the top 10 magazines in the U.S. by both Adweek and Advertising Age- one of only three magazines in the U.S. to be named on both lists. Condé Nast Traveler has an audience of 3.1 million and is published by Condé Nast Publications, Inc. Online at cntraveler.com.

London with my dad

2008-11-11 10:35:05

This is a very dear trip, not just because we rarely get to travel alone together, but also because my dad's never been to London and has always wanted to go. Who knew? If you want to tag along but don't have time to sit back, relax and read this week's story, don't worry. There's a two-minute Johnny Jet video at the end. Don't feel like heading to London this week? Then join our newest writer Natalie Bahadur as she makes her maiden voyage to Finland's capital and tours you around Helsinki.

HOTEL 41 LOCATION
I took the tube to Victoria Station and walked three blocks to where I was staying at Hotel 41. TIP: When you get to Victoria Station, don't walk down the stairs and then back up the pedestrian alley, which is a huge pain with luggage. Instead, just walk half a block to the right and cross at the underground crosswalk. Hotel 41 is directly across the street from the Queen's Mew, home to many of the horses and coaches used on state occasions. There aren't many hotels around so when darkness falls, the street goes from being a tourist haven to being eerily empty. But hey, it makes for good sleeping.

BLACK AND WHITE
The moment I walked into the entrance of Hotel 41, I was greeted by the hotel's signature color palette – black and white. It's modeled after the 21 Club in New York City. From there, the elevator whisks guests up to the fifth floor, where the hotel officially begins ... and ends ... it's just one floor. Because Hotel 41 only has 30 rooms, it doesn't really feel like a hotel. It feels more like a club, which might explain the black and white color scheme. After doing some quick online research, I discovered that the hotel was ranked #9 out of 1,011 hotels in London on TripAdvisor.com. Pretty impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that it just placed 10th on Travel and Leisure's World's Best Awards 2007 list of the top 50 hotels in Europe.

MY DAD
I was pretty anxious to get to my room to see if my father had made it safely. You see, my dad is legally deaf, does not often travel alone, (especially internationally) and tends not to follow my instructions. He says I'm bossy. I booked him on a flight using my frequent flier miles and the only business class seat I could find for him, got him into Heathrow six hours earlier than me.

CHAPERONING SENIORS
I worried about my dad finding his way through the airport and switching carriers. The positive aspect about my dad flying alone was that it was much easier to secure one seat using frequent flier miles. The negative part is that I would have felt a lot better if he had had someone accompanying him. In fact, I briefly looked into hiring a personal chaperone and found a new company, based out of Georgia, which specializes in giving seniors the freedom to travel anywhere in the world. But it's expensive! You have to pay the chaperone's travel fares on top of their daily rate. Instead, I arranged for airline representatives to escort my dad to his gates. This was free of charge and my dad said that the representatives all showed up and that it all worked out well. His only regret was turning down the golf cart ride at Heathrow; he didn't realize how long the walk to baggage claim was and while schlepping his carry-ons, he re-injured his bad back, putting a slight damper on the trip.

MY DAD ARRIVED!
My biggest concern was that my dad wouldn't make it to the hotel. If he got lost, there would be no way for me to get a hold of him. But the helpful staff at Hotel 41 solved that predicament. When I emailed them a few days prior and explained my dilemma, they had a solution. They suggested my dad take the Heathrow Express train (15 minutes from London's Heathrow Airport) and they would send a representative to meet him at the train platform. We swapped photographs so that each knew what the other looked like.

The rep who met my dad was actually the hotel manager, Chantal. What a lovely person. She's originally from Martinique and she had that innate, friendly Caribbean attitude that I love. When I arrived at the hotel, my first question for the pretty receptionist was whether or not my father had made it. With a big smile, she confirmed that he was in the house and that he was sleeping. Relief flooded over me. She went on to tell me that my father is a real character, that he was so excited to be in England and that all the staff who had met him, wanted to adopt him. Chantal expressed the same sentiments and I thought that maybe they were just being overly kind because they knew I had a travel website or something. But that didn't appear to be the case; the next morning, as I milled around the breakfast room, I took a look at the guest book and sure enough, it was filled with nothing but high praise, especially commenting on the hotel staff's friendly attitude. FYI: 60% of the guests are from the U.S., while 35% hail from the U.K.

HOTEL 41
The staff alone is reason enough to stay at Hotel 41. The location is another; its just blocks from Buckingham Palace, the tube and bus station. But most of all, the rooms are really comfortable. They're all beautifully decorated with traditional mahogany furniture, a flat screen TV, an iPod docking station, warm feather duvets, a clean bathroom with strong water pressure and fancy toiletries. Internet is free of charge and some rates include breakfast. It's served in the civilized library/dining/TV room. Some tables are made just for one and face the TV, which is nice for business travelers. The service is refined. The waiters are dressed in tuxedos with tails and they take their time. It seemed like each piece of china was being brought to the table one by one. The final touch was a single red carnation, a subtle reminder of the company the hotel belongs to. Breakfast was worth the wait; they served freshly squeezed orange juice and I had one of the best Belgian waffles ever. Room rates begin at £225.00. Hotel 41, Buckingham Palace Road, London, Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7300 0041.

MILESTONE HOTEL
While on the subject of Red Carnation Hotels, I might as well tell you about the company's signature property, The Milestone. The Milestone Hotel is adjacent to Kensington Gardens and is a real gem. I thought Hotel 41 was amazing but The Milestone is just flat-out superb. The staff was as chummy as Hotel 41's and called guests by their names. Good thing my Italian father couldn't hear them saying "Mr. Jet". The Milestone's decor is the complete opposite of that at Hotel 41. The only black and white room can be found in a parlor off the bar. The Milestone is traditionally English. There are 45 guest rooms, 12 luxurious suites and six apartments. The service was prompt. I mean instantaneous. By the time I hung up the phone after requesting something, there was a gentle tap at my door. No wonder this place was voted the fifth best hotel in the world, according to a 2007 survey by Travel & Leisure magazine, and placed second on their list of the top 50 hotels in Europe.

THE SAFARI SUITE
Fortunately, there was a large conference in town so all of the hotel's standard rooms were sold out ... which meant we got upgraded to the Safari Suite! There were a lot cheetah and zebra patterns going on and the room had little touches like elephant pillows on the leather couch and safari photos dotting the walls. Between the motif of our room and the South African accents of half the staff members (Red Carnation is South African owned), at times I felt like I was on a safari. It was so cool that they acted like we were paying suite customers because each night we were treated to canapés, mini books and treats left on the pillows. Heck, our oversized tiled bathroom had huge containers of expensive Penhaligon's toiletries. They even brought out the soap tray for us. Our room had the same amenities as Hotel 41, including free Internet access and a desk, stocked with everything your desk at home has, except a lot less messy. There's a gym, indoor swimming pool and a small bar, which, on occasion, can be the stomping grounds of low-key rock stars. Room rates begin at £250 a night and include breakfast. The Milestone Hotel and Apartments, 1 Kensington Court; Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7917 1000.

PRINCESS DIANA
Our room overlooked Kensington Park. One evening, my dad and I took a stroll through the peaceful park. We passed lots of joggers and pick-up soccer games until we came to the gates of Kensington Palace (website), where Princess Diana lived. We were there the day after the 10th anniversary of her journey into Heaven and it was remarkable how many letters, collages, candles and flowers were left in her honor.

WHOLE FOODS AND GOAT TAVERN
Around the corner from the hotel is the world's largest Whole Foods Market. I love Whole Foods (though I wish it wasn't so darned expensive!) but my dad, understandably, didn't want to eat there. Instead, he had his heart set on some English beer and traditional pub food so we popped into the historic Goat Tavern, which was just a few doors down from The Milestone. The Goat, as it's called, has been around since 1697! The food (fish ‘n' chips, steak and mushroom pies, for example) wasn't great and the service could use some help ... perhaps from the Milestone staff? I forgot that in a pub, you need to order at the bar, which took us a while to realize. But my dad loved it and really, that's all that matters. Goat Tavern, 3a Kensington High Street; Tel.: 020 7937 1213.

SIGHTSEEING
This was my dad's first trip to London, so we made the rounds to some of the famous landmarks. Since my dad can't hear, we skipped the guided, hop-on-hop-off bus tour and took the public bus. We got the same experience but it was a whole lot cheaper. One incredibly friendly driver even made announcements over the PA to alert me which stop to get off at and helpfully pointed us in the right direction.

PORTOBELLO MARKET
It was Saturday morning and our first stop was Portobello Road for the world's largest antiques market. Held weekly, there are 1,500 specialist antiques dealers, antique arcades and galleries all along the Notting Hill road. It was a complete zoo. From there we went to Covent Garden for more shopping. PortobelloMarket.org and PortobelloRoad.co.uk.

HARRODS
No first timer's trip to London would be complete without going to the world's most famous department store. Harrods has been in business since 1849 and despite its steep prices and no-shorts rule, is a tourist haven. My dad was starving so we pulled up a chair at one of the many eateries. There are 28 restaurants on over seven floors! We actually had to wait about 15 minutes in a line before being seated at the pizzeria. With the all-Italian staff, this place might have the best pizza in London and without a doubt, it's also the most expensive. Would you believe a small pizza costs £14.50? Ouch! Harrods.com.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Next, we took the bus down to the Thames River and later had a snack at the nearby One Aldwych Hotel. My dad marveled at Big Ben, then took a tour of Westminster Abbey (£10 adults, £7 seniors). The Abbey dates back to 960AD and is the place where Princess Diana had her funeral mass. Almost every English monarch was crowned here since 1066 and many are interred here, along with dozens of great writers and artists. Since 1920, only the cremated remains are accepted and the last famous person brought here was Laurence Olivier in 1989. My dad has a love of poetry and his favorite, not surprisingly, was the Poet's Corner. This is where Britain's best writers are honored. Westminster-Abbey.org.

HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT TOUR
My dad is a retired lawyer and, if I might say so, one of the state of Connecticut's best. So it's no wonder that he had his heart set on a tour of the parliament building. We purchased two tickets (adults £12, seniors 60 and over £8) for the 75-minute tour. The English are so hospitable; when I told them that my dad couldn't hear well and that his back was hurting, they arranged for a wheelchair and gave him the tour guide's transcript to read in advance and take home. He loved it. And so did I! But if I had one complaint, it's the scheduling of the tours. They have several groups touring at the same time instead of staggering the times. So when you're all huddled up in a room, you can hear the guide next to you, which makes it a bit difficult to pay attention, especially for someone with ADD ... yeah, that's me. That aside, I did learn all about the English government (it has three bodies like ours), saw where the Queen puts on her robe and speaks to the country once a year, and I saw where the Prime Minister addresses his colleagues. If you've ever watched it on TV and wondered why people in the crowd keep popping up and down, it's because they are trying to get the speaker's attention. If he or she doesn't call on them, they sit down. The red rooms in the parliament are for the royalty, while the green ones are for the commoners. Unfortunately, no picture taking was allowed. Parliament.uk and Overseas Visitors.

NEXT WEEK
Next week, my dad and I put our RailEurope passes to good use by hopping on a train and traveling to another country!

From The Red Carnation Hotel Collection: Two Sumptuously Appointed Apartments In London

2008-09-08 08:12:52

London: it’s full of good hotels - and none better than those in the superb Red Carnation Hotel collection. But there are times when you need the privacy and exclusivity of your own street address – your very own London apartment.

Now Red Carnation offers two fabulous apartments in a residential townhouse, nestled in the heart of London’s thriving Victoria shopping District, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, St. James Park and some of the city’s best-loved sights and attractions. Each of these residences are serviced by our five-star “41” hotel nearby. You can also use the hotel’s facilities and services should you so desire.

Choose from a one- or two-bedroom apartment, each one stunningly decorated with rich fabrics, period furniture, living flame gas fireplaces and opulent marble bathrooms. Each also boasts a fully fitted kitchen, with microwave, hob/electric stove, dishwasher and washing machine/dryer, as well as hairdryer, bathroom slippers, utility closet and a safe large enough to hold a laptop. Both apartments include spacious, secluded roof terraces, perfect for entertaining and dining al fresco.

When it comes to technology, we’re no slouches either. Each apartment features two private, cordless phones; plasma screen TVs; a DVD player; Sky & satellite channels and – of course – complimentary WiFi throughout, with fax/copiers available on request. We even have laptops to rent if you forget your own, or can’t be bothered to bring one.

Complete with a fully stocked bar, top-of-the-line Penhaligon’s toiletries and daily maid service, our new apartments really are the way to enjoy London in great style. If you require additional space, the apartments can be combined to form a very roomy three-bedroom ‘pied a terre.’ This is the best of all worlds with your own front-door key and all the amenities of a five-star hotel right at your doorstep - or at the touch of a button.

Red Carnation’s apartments are located at 25-27 Catherine Place, London SW1E 6DU. The one-bedroom apartment is £2000 per week; the two-bedroom apartment is £2750. Rates are exclusive of taxes and gratuities.

Red Carnation Hotels is a collection of luxury boutique properties. The Five-Star London jewels are The Milestone overlooking Kensington Palace; and The Egerton House Hotel, in Knightsbridge. Outside of London is Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa, Evershot, Dorset, a member of Relais & Châteaux; in the same village is The Acorn Inn. Other RCH properties, and members of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, are The Five-Star Hotel d’Angleterre on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, South Africa.

For enquiries and reservations, please contact Steven McGovern and his Sales team: call +44 (0)20 7958 7760 or email bookrb@rchmail.com. We look forward to serving you.

*****

2008: Travel & Leisure Reader’s Survey voted 41 6th best Hotel for Service in Europe
2007: Travel & Leisure Voted 41 Second Best Hotel in London
2007: AA Hospitality named Red Carnation Hotels ‘Small Hotel Group of the Year’
2007: Travel & Leisure placed 41 “31st Best Hotel in the World” and “10th
Best Hotel in Europe”
2006: Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice placed 41 8th as Best for Romance in Europe
2006-2005: Selected as AA Top Hotel

London's '41' hotel wins Travel & Leisure top award for service

2008-06-12 09:26:56

London's '41' hotel, in a very aristocratic location opposite the Royal Mews and diagonally across from Buckingham Palace (they say you're known by the company you keep), was voted 6th Best Hotel in Europe for Service in Travel & Leisure's World's Best Service reader survey.

'41' finds itself in the best possible company with legendary names in world-class hospitality, names like Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and Mandarin Oriental. Yet '41' is all the more remarkable for being independently owned, a jewel in the crown of Red Carnation Hotels, whose four- and five-star properties across London, and in locations as diverse as the Dorset countryside, Geneva, Palm Beach and South Africa, are making waves with the travelling cognoscienti.

'41' offers a hotel experience far removed from a typical big city hotel stay. With its private street entrance (only guests have access to the premises), clubby panelling, very 'English' reception lobby with working fireplace coupled with high style in its black and white design and zingy decorations, this hotel is as far from 'cookie-cutter' as you can get. And service - as attested to by Travel & Leisure readers, is key, with dedicated and devoted staff carrying out the Red Carnation Hotels maxim that, "No request is too large, no detail too small".

But if you think the hotel is caught in a time warp of Olde England, think again, because '41' is also bang up to date, with iPod docking stations, interactive TV with movies on demand, high-speed internet and WiFi, radio and CD players and fax/copier that double as printers for your laptop.

And, to quote some of our recent guests: "Everything …was perfect…the location, room, staff and services were all exemplary…The hotel exceeded our expectations and our expectations were high." "It would be impossible to single any one staff member out as they were all fantastic…there is only place to stay while in London…41!"   "…by far the best experience that we have ever had…"

Last but not least, at a time when London is regarded as a city beyond many people's means, '41' is also ranked 4th in Value for Money (hotels over $400 a night) in European Hotels, competing on price as well as outstanding service.

The awards are given, in Travel & Leisure's own words, for "formal, thoughtful and above all discreet service", as well as for hotels that offer exceptional value in their class. The meaning is clear: exceptional accolades for a truly outstanding hotel.

For reservations call +44 (0)20 7300 0041 or book online at book41@rchmail.com. For further information and recent guests' comments, visit us at www.41hotel.com.

2007:   Travel & Leisure Voted 41 Second Best Hotel in London
2007:    AA Hospitality named Red Carnation Hotels 'Small Hotel Group of the Year'
2007:   Travel & Leisure placed 41 "31st Best Hotel in the World" and "10th Best Hotel in Europe"
2006:   Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice placed 41 8th as Best for Romance in Europe
2006-2005: Selected as AA Top Hotel
2005:   VisitLondon awarded the hotel Silver Award for Best Small Hotel in London

The Seven Steps to a Yes

2008-09-24 14:53:41

Our guaranteed* route to romantic success

It takes a lot of courage to pop the question, so you’ll want to give yourself every chance of receiving the right answer. “41”, our ultra-luxurious boutique hotel tucked away opposite Buckingham Palace Mews, will set things up perfectly to make your task as easy as possible. We’ll help you plan every detail to make it easy for you to ask and even easier for her to say yes. We can’t guarantee success – you have a part to play here – but we can guarantee to provide a magical setting for the big moment.

We currently enjoy a 100% success rate, so we’re confident that with our help the operation will be a breeze. Simply follow the 7 steps outlined below and look forward to the years of married bliss that will surely follow. †

Choose your location carefully. Whether you decide to ask in the bedroom, in front of the fireplace, in a park, restaurant or hot air balloon, we can help plan the moment.
Let us help set the mood for the evening, either with a bottle of fine Champagne on arrival or a romantic turndown with candles, flowers, music and a bottle of vintage Champagne for your return to the hotel. Make it as simple and pure or as romantic and silly as you like; we can arrange everything.
We can also help with organising his and hers massages to help soothe nerves (yours, mainly) and to ensure you both feel as pampered, relaxed, and special as you deserve.
Don’t want to go out? Let us arrange a romantic candlelit supper with Champagne, oysters, asparagus and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
We’ve done our bit: now it’s over to you. The mood is set, the room’s ready and the Champagne’s on ice. Ought to be a tap-in, really. So, take a deep breath, and …
What to do the next morning? Having got the answer you were after, you’ll want to celebrate in style. Enjoy a Champagne breakfast, then take her shopping; we’ll recommend the best boutiques and stores to head for.
And it doesn’t end there. Book “41” for 2 nights on your 1st anniversary to relive the memories of your special first time with us and we’ll upgrade you to one of sumptuous Junior Suites.

So there you have it. If you’re ready to ask the question, we’ve got the perfect answer.

41's Romantically package, which includes a luxurious room, full English breakfast daily and a red rose upon arrival, is perfect for a romantic stay in London.

* Based on current performance. Please note that the success rate of romantic proposal venues can vary over time.

† The owners, management, and staff of “41” are in no way liable for the happiness or otherwise of your marriage. Normal terms and conditions apply.

2006/2007: Inspectors' Choice Hotel in Britain & Ireland, five red stars awarded by the AA.
2005: Awarded Silver Award for Best Small Hotel in London by VisitLondon.
“Investment in People” award for training and staff development.
2002: One of the “World's Best Places to Stay” – Condé Nast Traveler.
The New York Times: “deliciously confidential atmosphere of a private club”.
41 is a member of Preferred-Boutique Hotels.

Family Easter Weekend at 41

2008-09-24 14:54:05

For a family Easter weekend full of fun, excitement and adventure, stay at 41 and explore the magic of exciting London. This elegant five-star hotel is near Buckingham Palace, a short walk from the royal parks and Pall Mall, and is well known for its high service levels and elegant décor. Nearby are such fun sights as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and a special treat for the kids – the Changing of the Guard.

The two night Kids Weekend includes:

Family accommodation - king-size bed and pull-out sofa bed
Tour of the hotel, including the kitchen so you can help prepare lunch for Mum & Dad
Special children's menu
Your very own bathrobes and slippers
Welcome pack with games
Kiddies’ packed lunch each day
English breakfast each morning for everyone
Special turndown treat each evening . . . but only if you have been good!

The Kids’ Weekend is from £495.00 per room per night based on two adults and two children sharing a Hospitality Suite. Package is subject to a minimum stay of two nights: March 21st Friday / 22nd Saturday or / 23rd Sunday. The Kids’ Weekend is exclusive of gratuities and subject to availability. Please provide child's name(s) and age(s) when booking.

For reservations call +44 (0)20 7300 0041 or book online at book41@rchmail.com. For further information and recent guests’ comments, visit us at www.41hotel.com.

Red Carnation Hotels is a collection of luxury family-run properties. The Five-Star luxurious London jewels are The Milestone Hotel, overlooking Kensington Palace, and member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World; “41”, overlooking Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews; and The Egerton House Hotel, in Knightsbridge. Outside of London is Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa, Evershot, Dorset, a member of Relais & Châteaux; in the same village is The Acorn Inn. Other RCH properties and members of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, are The Five-Star Hotel d'Angleterre on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, South Africa. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is in the heart of the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape.

2007: Travel & Leisure placed 41 “31st Best Hotel in the World” and “10th
Best Hotel in Europe”
2006: Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice placed 41 8th as Best for Romance in Europe
2006-2005: Selected as AA Top Hotel 2005: VisitLondon awarded the hotel Silver Award for Best Small Hotel in London
Accorded the coveted AA 5 Red Stars award three years
Received the “Investment in People” award for training and staff development.
The New York Times wrote, “…deliciously confidential atmosphere of a…club”
Tripadvisor 2006 Travellers’ Choice placed 41 8th as Best for Romance in Europe

Break Away

2008-09-24 14:55:27

There are certain things in life you can rely on – two buses arriving at once, rain when you light the barbecue and a London cabbie knowing where you need to be.

Well, two out of three ain’t bad ... the cabbie having let the side down on my recent trip to the capital. To be fair, I’m reliably informed by the staff at 41 that it’s not unusual for taxi drivers not to know where they are, and indeed, they quite like it that way.

For the record, this Red Carnation hotel is not tucked away down some back alley in the heart of the East End, it is in fact beautifully positioned just around the corner from Buckingham Palace.

From the moment you enter this five-star boutique hotel, you know 41 is going to be unlike any hotel you’ve stayed in before. Its discreet entrance, featuring only its number on the door, opens up to a small reception area of maho g any panels and black and white tiles.

From here you take a private lift directly to the fifth floor to check in.

So, you’ve just spent two-and-a half hours on a train and another half-hour in a taxi and the last thing you want is to stand in line at a desk while a receptionist taps away at a computer before handing you two plastic keys.

Luckily for us, this was the 41. Check-in involved being seated on an antique leather sofa in front of a roaring fire with the welcome drink of our choice (champagne, naturally). Here the manager handed us a card to sign and that was pretty much that.

Because I was with my wife, the next four hours saw many shops, many changing rooms and many shopping bags, but then we were back to explore our Executive Club King room.

It had everything you'd expect from a room in such a high-class hotel including those great little touches that demand you notice them. When was the last time you had a fireplace in your room, for instance? Or an iPod speaker docking station? Okay, so most in-hotel TVs offer you Internet access, at a cost, but naturally at 41, it’s free. Alternatively, free Wi-Fi is pumped around the property so you can work, play or keep in touch on your own laptop.

All 30 rooms are unique, but all feature 41’s black and white and mahogany signature. The bathroom featured not one but two showers and the white towels, robes and slippers almost took our attention away from the duvet and pillow menu.

Outside your room, the “make you feel special” touches continue. The private club-feel of the Executive Lounge (where we checked in) is the heart of 41. Here you can relax, watch TV, “raid the pantry” 24-hours a day or enjoy a tipple from the “honesty bar”.

It's also the place you can take breakfast – I can heartily recommend the eggs benedict.

So now London’s best-kept secret is out of the bag, don’t risk picking up a cabbie without The Knowledge, let one of 41’s Bentley or Range Rover transfers drive you to the lap of luxury.